Infrastrukturgesellschaft: “So that the Bundestag be destroyed once more”

Interview with the SPD federal politicians Marco Bülow on a bill, allowing the privatization of highways

The SPD federal politicians Marco Bülow criticized in an interview with Telepolis sharp one on Thursday Bill passed in Parliament, of the way frees to a privatization of the highway through the back door.

The draft law, of creating a “Infrastrukturgesellschaft” allows, has far-reaching consequences: The infrastructure company could “enter into public-private partnerships without parliamentary control”, so Bülow. explains the directly elected deputies from Dortmund: “Control rights are so levered in private law, even if the federal government partner remains. Private companies could then build roads and collect tolls.”

Mr. Buelow, They are opposed to the privatization of motorway. Why?

Marco Bülow: I think this is a big mistake. The creation of a company under private law contradicts my principle, that the provision of public goods, such as public transport infrastructure, belongs in the public sector. At the level of individual PPP projects (Public-Private Partnerships) can now be implemented privatization on a large scale – in private.

What problems do you see or?

Marco Bülow: This law again individual lobby interests have received in preference to the common good. So that the Bundestag be destroyed once more. This continues the already longer existing process of gradual drain of the elected representatives and elected officials, in which more and more powers are transferred to other levels.

In addition, almost called for the first time, that the rehabilitation and construction of schools will be implemented through PPP projects. This must not be so. The provision of education infrastructure is fundamental task of the state.

Now the Bundestag on Thursday voted on the creation of an infrastructure company. What do you mean with that?

Marco Bülow: This new Company may enter into public-private partnerships without parliamentary control. Control rights are so levered in private law, even if the federal government partner remains. Private companies could then build roads and collect tolls.

At the level of individual PPP projects privatizations can now be implemented in camera

So the way for privatization of the motorway is introduced through the back door?

Marco Bülow:: And, that's the way it is. This legal structure already mean a momentous privatization. the State- and administrative lawyer Christoph Degenhart has done in his analysis again clearly. At the level of individual PPP projects privatizations can now be implemented on a large scale – in private. Moreover, the term is “essential parts” too vague, than that this a real exclusion is guaranteed Private. Moreover, since for a new change, a 2/3 Majority is needed, this decision is virtually no longer be reversible.

: they say, that by the decision “Lobby individual interests get in preference to the common good”, You also speak of a “long-standing process of gradual drain of the elected representatives and elected officials …, in which more and more powers are transferred to other levels.” The situation is so serious?

Marco Bülow:: And, is she. Therefore, I will continue to sit down to defend against the disempowerment of parliament and against the sale of primary tasks of government in favor of individual interests.

: What is the current switch position with regard to the toll?

Marco Bülow: The Union would continue to drive from the start a real privatization of highways and the. The SPD must necessarily prevent.

The discussion on the vote was made controversial in your party. Why the SPD has chosen, so tune? What goes into your party before?

Marco Bülow: It is good, that my party colleagues have negotiated long, to as many privatization barriers installed. but still have ca. 30 voted SPD member of this Act, because privatization is still possible. I believe, we need to discuss even more firmly in the SPD about, really have what effect these laws.